ASSIN MANSO SLAVE RIVER

 This was a major 18 Century slave market and the final stop for captives before  reaching the coast Elmlina and Cape Coast castles. Enslaved Africans bathed in this river and rested before being shipped across the Atlantic. It is serves as a poignant historical site and memorial for the diaspora. 

I asked some of the fellows in the office I share 'what this place meant to them' and they have very little connection it seems. I was perplexed as this response so I kept asking why no reaction. One reason I realized is that everyone is quite poor here and that the main life purpose is to have food every day and a place to livev which keeps them busy. I was told today a second that the diaspora have a different life being black. Here there is no obvious difference being black whereas in USA or Caribbean   for example being black means you are different and ttreated differently as well.  When the diaspora comes here, for the first time they do not look different they are the same and not treated different because of their skin colour. So a place live the Slave River takes on a hightened emotional response. 

The entrance to the site has the need to knock on the gate like the slaves would have done, to ensure that is is ok to enter.

We walked along a path that was leading to the river. This small building has the pictures of the chiefs that were in charge down throught the years.. Showing respect for  their elders is very important to maintain so erecting this building is a reminder of the past.

You notice that I am sitting as my mobility is limited these days so using a chair  enabled me to see the whole site. Here is the last steps for the slaves, down to the river where Michael is standing.

All and all this was very interesting. Victor, Dominic and Michale along  with Darby (michael's wife and E:izabeth's motherone wife ) came with me and were very helpful in getting me back and forth to see the site.

The place was quite far so this from Wiawso it was a whole day adventure, from 430 am till 9pm. i guess I do not need to say but I will anyway, exhausted does not cover how I felt and it has been until today, Friday for me to recover. I would not have nissed it for the world, a very memorable visit.

Anglican school ANHWIAN #2,

 The school wrote a proposal asking for some assistance to rebuild their structure that I saw a couple of weeks ago. Last Sunday we meet for them to receivet the funds.

Yes the Director of the school is a Muslim. She is a quiet but an effective leader. I asked for me the obvious question, 'how is it for a Muslim to lead and Anglican School. She was surprised at the question. She said there was not problem ' she just did what was asked of her' I asked what happens is there is a conflict...there were not.  I wondered to myself if obedience overroad theology for her. Anyway it is working and the Bishop is pleased with the results. 

Bishop on my far right along with the Board of Dirctors.

THERE IS A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING IT SEEMS

 Having a la la weekend. Friday was Eid, the end of Ramadan, a time to celebrate with food, give thanks and support those in need. As such it is a government holiday here in Ghana a long weekemd for sure.  Monday is off as well and at this moment I do not know why so will get back to you on that

Saturday unfolds: laundry, reading eating, about 530 or 6pm the hydro goes off. not unusual here, every week it seems. so I have my rechargable flashlight on, reading, several hours pass, outside to me looks appropriately dark for the outage to be the whole community, I can not  shower in the dark, midnight comes , no fan, its hot. I have a plastic hand fan I pick up a couple of weeks ago, wave it frantically, feels wonderful but hand getting sore, keep fridge closed as it is defrosting as I sit,  had some rice and called it a night, very hot, up and down  all  night, send a few WhatsApps and emails to complain about NO FANS. pack all cords to church to charge my deviees, I ride with the Dean, ask him 'does they electricity' Yes, Now I am sure I have a major problem in the house and figure I can not do another night with no fan, I will go to a hotel with ac. I plan to plug all cords to charge my devices during church, I find only plug for one  cord where I sit :(   Its good job I sit at the back, behind the altar, somewhat hidden from view, I spend the whole service rotating devices. including 2 power banks,  I get a ride back to the house, I am staying in a hotel is my mantra,   an electrician is coming, Michael comes in, looks around, opens the fuse box and flips the switch and all is well in the hydro department.It never crossed my mind to look at the fuse box, its in there hall, I pass it every time I go to the kitchen Yes I said my favourite word ++++,  Michael laughed and left. Electrician came and left.

so here I sit , showered, fan blows nicely, devices all charging 

TWO CONCLUSIONS

All is well that  ends well and Never assume anything

MOTHERING SUNDAY

 The church in Ghana celebrates Mothering Sunday with much nire enthusiasm than Mother's Day in May.

So I was up to preach. I wanted to preach from a Mother's point of view, not a priest. I thought to make that easier  I would wear a blouse and skirt, no robe. I asked the Dean to introduce me  as a mother and I came out with blue blouse and multi coloured skirt. When I preach I am translated so the translator and I get into a back and forth rhythm. I do not get feed back when I preach so today I asked Michael if it worked, he said it did as everyone was listening.  I included my own story, of my birth  Mom making the decision to me up, like Moses ' Mother having to give him up so he could live. I also talked about my family.  Sometimes I end up with a sermon that speaks very loudly to me like this did.

I get back to the house, resting after my busy morning,. Bishop Kwame calls, wishing me a Happy Mothering Sunday. Then he starts to laugh as he is telling me that he threw Mother (his wife) out of the kitchen as he is cooking today. I did not know he could cook. Then he tells me that he has cook food for me that will be arriving very soon. I am to eat it slowly remembering that he cooked it. 

A few minutes later, door bell rings, food arrives, hot; rice, yam, beef, fish, tomato sauce with 2 cold Cokes. WOW enough for more than 2 suppers.

So I ate slowly remembering that the Bishop did the cooking, finishing with a Coke.     WHAT A GREAT MOTHERING SUNDAY!!!!!!

SCHOOL VISIT WITH THE BISHOP

 An Anglican school ANHWIAN #2, was erecting a building that collapsed. So Bishop was going to see the situation. They were using wood uprights that gave way so it was suggested they use metal 2 x4's. I wandered into a class, Level 4, had conversation with the teeachers. They have very limited resources even with the government saying that school is free. The teachers buy the only text book for each subject. To teach reading they write the reading lesson on the board so the children can learn how to read it. The building consists of a concrete pad, a tin roof and half walls of 1x6;s, no windows or doors, desks out of rough wood and 2 squares of black board to write on, outhouses down the way. no play equipment and rough grass waving in the breeze. My goodness, we are so blessed in Canada.

                   Meeting under the tree. Bishop brought gift of school supplies 

                                                     Class form 4

                                                  Needs to be rebuilt

UPDATE

My asthma seems to be under control. I feel fine so I am back at the office. Onward and upward so they say. 

visit to Emerg at the local hospital

 My asthma caught up with me and I needed assistance to get it under control. I was in a large room, 6 beds and I sat at the end of the room having a nebulizer treatment. There was  no privacy screens so everybody was privy all. I will admit the nurse in me watched with interest. A daughter brought supper for her mom in a large soup turine . another family sat entertaining their auntie. The patient beside me undressed then she  crawled into bed. Staff were back and forth. I got my breathing  under control, paid my bill of $48.00, next was a trip to the neighbourhood pharmay for follow up medications, 3 meds with a cost of $42.00 one of which I know costs $50.00 at Shoppers in Hamilton, I arrived back at the house in good shape. I called Bishop so he did not get surprised from the gossip line (there are no secrets here believe me, everybody knows everything, no secrets). So my adventure ended well and today I am off to the office as usual.